2 Tips To Strengthen Your Relationship With Rest

Spring is here!

Every spring brings a sense of renewal and restoration as part of the circle of life. Spring also brings the "break" before we start summer know as Spring Break.

This annual ritual of Spring Break reminded me to revisit my relationship with rest.

Rest and I are good friends for the most part. A voracious sleeper who strives to get a full 8 hours nightly, I rarely have trouble resting.

All bets are off when I hit a stressful patch in life where my normal coping mechanisms fail. Restlessness replaces my restful spirit. Try as I might, but rest eludes me when I need it most - during stressful times. Fortunately, my normal relationship with rest is so good that I am able to endure these times of uncertainty and function on a little less sleep. Additionally, I am able to shut down the worry machine and allow rest to creep back into its normal prominence. But the main reason my relationship with rest is good lies in two techniques I use all the time which really come in handy during the crisis moments.

Breathe Deeply Often

When I am not stressed, I make it a habit to breathe deeply for some many minutes per hour. The full on stop-what-you're-doing conscious deep concentrating breathing. Even if for only a minute or 3 each hour, this technique I've learned in my B.E.S.T. coaching has changed my life. It brings perspective. It allows me to slow down and center my thoughts. Because I do this often already, during stressful times when my coping mechanisms need re-tooling, this breathing saves me. And those around me. I pause more before I speak. I breathe deeply before I respond. It is very inexpensive self-therapy.

Take Real, Full Breaks Away

This has been toughest as an entrepreneur but without question the MOST important task on my to do list. The to don't list. The stop working, stop thinking and just be moments. Everyone needs them. Few actually take them. Because of the intense pace of life I lead, I do this weekly and schedule consecutive days off quarterly and every six months embarks on a full-on vacation. Unplugged. No work. Few gadgets. Even when financially it is rough, days off and vacation are essential. They are the fuel to get you back on track. Your body and mind need time away. You should give it that time, regularly.


Every relationship you have is affected by the relationship you have with rest. If it is strained or non-existent, I challenge you this spring to give it another look. Take a chance and re-kindle your relationship with rest.  Start with the two techniques I reference above and build from there. Ultimately, we all have our own interactions and needs related to rest - it is imperative that you build and maintain a strong healthy relationship with rest. You and people you do life with will thank you.

Spring Cleaning: A Complex But Great Relationship

This post is sponsored by Pine-Sol® Clean & Disinfect with Pine-Sol®: The Powerful Scent of Clean." I was compensated for this post as a member of Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all my own.

With the onset of Spring coming so early in Chicago this year, I feel a bit off balance and out of sorts. Breaking open the windows this past week reminded me of the ONE time of year I actually enjoy cleaning my house.

My relationship with cleaning has always been somewhat strained but each Spring, I manage to put aside my day-in, day-out baggage and really give my house the once over it longs for from its owner.

It was not so long ago that I outsourced regular cleaning for good after many fits and starts. 2009 to be exact. I caved in to the pressure to keep our 1900 square feet - 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom house somewhat livable by hiring a service twice per month. Best use of budget dollars every month.

We even changed cleaning crews recently but when they asked me the other day - "can we schedule your Spring cleaning?" I was happy to respond - "Thanks, but no thanks."

You see - I LOVE the chance to restart the cleaning season in my house.

I love to make the wood floors sing like only I can.
I love to clean the windows and blinds.
I love to defrost and clean the freezer and fridge - behind the fridge - even better.
I don't love the bathrooms but I do love the smell of Lavender Fresh Pine Sol that fills my house after I do manage to get them done.

I love what I model to my kids in the process...

You can convert a poor relationship (every day maintenance cleaning) into an excellent one (annual spring cleaning) by recognizing clear cues of distress, addressing them and being realistic about the long term prospects.

I am a lousy cleaning person if I must do it regularly. Especially now.

With a new business, I am more busy than I ever was in my corporate gig.
With kids growing up and branching out - our time together is precious. Too precious to lose a Saturday am or weeknight evening to cleaning.

However, taking the time to thoroughly clean every spring allows me to get rid of things we no longer need to make way for new or nothing. It keeps me in touch with my home's needs and fine tunes my instructions for our crew each year. I wouldn't change it for anything.

While my date with the cleaning bucket is  usually late April early May - this year - it will be over Spring Break next week. And I can't wait!

What about you? What is your relationship with Spring Cleaning?

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Just Dance Thru Your Spring Break Staycation

In the midst of  Spring Break season and so many families choosing "Staycations vs. Vacations",  we, once again want to give you some ideas about what we plan to do when our Spring Break hits in a few weeks since we are among the non-traveling families this year.

Besides taking at least one day to chill and do nothing - we are for sure planning an on-going GAMEFEST! Between rocking out on the PS3, baking treats and exploring new apps on the gadgets - we will be spending time on a new acquisition: Just Dance Kids! Wii.

As you can see from the video above - this game appeals to both my kids - at very different ages. Below find verbatim their thoughts on this game:

Evan - 5 years old
"I love to learn all the songs. It is fun and I get really tired after 4 or five songs. The moves are fun and funny. My mom is not very good but she sweats a lot and makes me laugh."

Thanks Evan. 

Emma - 9 years old says:

"I think it is very fun and active and Evan is right- she does sweat a lot! I love that the songs are sung by kids like me and Evan! The songs are songs that almost everyone knows and they are great for dancing to! For the littler ones, the songs are songs that the littler kids see in their TV shows. I recommend this game for kids of all ages- from 2 to even 32! Even grown-ups like my mom can have fun while having quality time with their kids!"  

While it's targeted at kids, (I agree with Emma and) I have to say I enjoyed playing it and found the moves to be fun and simple enough that both kids can win and enjoy themselves. My personal favorite thing about this game is how at the end of each song -there are opportunities for extra credit that can give you a boost for things like "Yeah" moves and "High Energy Movement". Those extras go a long way especially if you are like me and get tired before the end of the song. (Some one needs to give me a fitness game, STAT)

We absolutely recommend adding Just Dance Kids Wii to your gaming collection. You can find it here at ToysRUs.


While Ubisoft provided me with this game to review, the opinions I've expressed here are solely my own and represent my honest viewpoint. Ubisoft, Clever Girls Collective and I promote Blog With Integrity.